Austin's Best Food and Drink Events This Week

Dinner parties, farmer's markets, beer, wine, and more for the week of November 16, 2017

Fresa's Thanksgiving Dinner

photo: Photo courtesy of Madeline Ritchie

Thursday 16

CHAMPAGNE SOCIAL AND SALSA PARTY The monthly champagne social features throwback music, a complimentary dessert bar, and a champagne fountain with the purchase of a $10 champagne glass. The evening also marks the monthly Latin Flair: A Salsa Party & Show with free salsa lessons and music by DJ Danny Ritmo. Thu., Nov. 16 - Fri., Nov. 17, 9pm-2am. (2017) The Rose Room, 11500 Rock Rose, 512/743-1400.

FRESA'S THANKSGIVING DINNER The restaurant will be accepting nominations of families and individuals who are deserving of a free Thanksgiving meal at thanksgiving@fresaschicken.com. Or pre-order a meal of your own. Wed., Nov. 1 - Mon., Nov. 20, 8am-10pm. (2017) Fresa's Chicken al Carbon, 1703 S. First, 512/992-2946. fresaschicken.com

WORLD VEGAN DAY MEAL In honor of world vegan day, Whole Foods Market and Vedge restaurant have created all-new recipes for the holidays. The dishes will be served on Whole Foods Market hot bars across the nation and can be ordered online. The meal includes mustard-glazed cauliflower, lentil mushroom stuffing, “cheesy” rutabaga and potato mash, sauerkraut-roasted rainbow carrots, and chocolate toffee mini cake. Wed., Nov. 1 - Wed., Dec. 6, 8am-10pm. (2017) Whole Foods Market Downtown, 525 N. Lamar, 512/476-1206. wholefoodsmarket.com

Friday 17

Saturday 18

BIRD BIRD BISCUIT POP-UP This is the first public preview of the biscuit sandwiches from Bird Bird Biscuit, which is opening on Manor Rd. in spring 2018. They'll be serving a limited number of breakfast and lunch biscuit sandwiches (pay as you order). Sat., Nov. 18, 9-11am. (2017) Patrizi's, Behind Vortex Theatre, 2307 Manor Rd., 512/522-4834. www.patrizis.com

INFINITE MONKEY THEOREM TURNS TWO This second-year celebration includes free LeRoy and Lewis barbecue and free samples of Blue Owl + IMT mashup brew, plus live music from jazz group Tommy Howard Trio and $5 henna tattoos. Sat., Nov. 18, 2-10pm. (2017) Infinite Monkey Theorem - closed.

ORGANIC VEGGIE GARDENING 201 Linda Wall presents an intermediate-level class: Organic Veggie Gardening 201. Learn about cover crops, vegetable families for crop rotation, no-till, soil life, common mineral deficiencies, and more. Sat., Nov. 18, 10-11am. (2017) The Natural Gardener, 8648 Old Bee Caves Rd., 512/288-6113. Free. info@naturalgardeneraustin.com, naturalgardeneraustin.com

SFC FARMERS’ MARKET HOSTS MARCUS SAMUELSSON Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson will be teaching four short, hands-on cooking sessions at the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown starting in conjunction with his partner organization, Spectrum Naturals. Stay and shop the market. Sat., Nov. 18, 9am-1pm. (2017) SFC Farmers' Market Downtown, Fourth & Guadalupe, 512/236-0074. sfcfarmersmarket.org

TAILGATE AT THE BACKYARD On every away game in the UT season, join Texas Exes Austin Chapter for activities and food & drinks. Pre-game with a Bloody Mary bar, themed cocktails, craft brews, and signature tacos from backYARD’s airstream. Plus, a livestream of the game on a big screen. Sat., Sept. 16 - Sat., Nov. 18, 6:30pm-1am. (2017) Backyard at Waller Creek, 701 E. 11th.

Sunday 19

AUSTIN EMPTY BOWL PROJECT Select a artisan-crafted ceramic bowl to keep, fill it up with gourmet soup and bread from more than 30 local restaurants, and enjoy live music while fighting hunger. The donation goes to Kids Cafe, a program of the Central Texas Food Bank, and Meals for Kids, a program of Meals on Wheels Central Texas. A preview party happens the night before, for $75. Sun., Nov. 19, 11am-3pm. (2017) Central Texas Food Bank, 6500 Metropolis Dr., 512/282-2111. $20. centraltexasfoodbank.org

AUSTIN MAC & CHEESE FEST Up to 35 vendors will be spooning out cheesy goodness at this second annual event hosted by Austin Food Magazine and the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Sun., Nov. 19, 1-4pm. (2017) Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, 6020-B Dillard, 866/552-2433. $45-100. www.austinmacandcheesefestival.eventbrite.com

WINE & SWINE In a tribute to the food, drink, and music of New Orleans, Wine & Swine features 20+ chefs preparing pork dishes and whole roasted pigs for the outdoor party that includes live music, premium wine, beer and spirit tastings, and plenty o’ pork. Sun., Nov. 19, 1-4pm. (2017) Camp Mabry, 2200 W. 35th. www.austinfoodwinealliance.org

WINE FOR THE PEOPLE'S INAUGURAL HARVEST CELEBRATION Celebrate the fruitful 2017 Texas winegrowing season & support Northern California wildfire relief. This first-ever release of Texas Nouveau Wines includes single-vineyard wines from Texas High Plains grapes: Dandy Nouveau, Sangiovese Nouveau, and Trebbiano Nouveau. The event also features holiday gift shopping, and a DJ spinning classic vinyl soul. Sun., Nov. 19, 4-7pm. (2017) Palm Door on Sabine, 401 Sabine St., 512/391-1994. $30 in advance; $35 at the door.

Monday 20

Tuesday 21

UNCLE BILLY'S BEER DINNER AT STELLA PUBLIC HOUSE Farm-to-pizza gastropub Stella Public House will host a special four-course beer pairing dinner that will showcase selections from Uncle Billy's Brewing – like the Green Room IPA paired with sourdough panzanella and Barton Springs Pale Ale paired with pulled pork egg rolls. Tue., Nov. 21, 7-10pm. (2017) Stella Public House, 1905 Aldrich #110. $54. www.stellapublichouse.com

Ongoing

BARTON CREEK FARMERS MARKET Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Barton Creek Square, 2901 Capital of TX Hwy. S., 512/327-7040. bartoncreekfarmersmarket.org

BEE CAVE FARMERS MARKET Sundays, 10am-2pm. 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. beecavefarmersmarket.com

HOPE FARMERS MARKET Sundays, 11am-3pm. Plaza Saltillo, 412 Comal, 512/727-8363. hopefarmersmarket.org

SFC SUNSET VALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Toney Burger Activity Center, 3200 Jones, 512/414-2096. sfcfarmersmarket.org

TEXAS FARMERS’ MARKET AT LAKELINE Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr., Cedar Park, 512/363-5700. texasfarmersmarket.org/lakeline

TEXAS FARMERS’ MARKET AT MUELLER Sundays, 10am-2pm Branch Park Pavilion, 2006 Philomena. texasfarmersmarket.org/mueller

BOGGY CREEK FARM STAND Wed.-Sat., 8am-1pm. Boggy Creek Farm, 3414 Lyons, 512/926-4650. boggycreekfarm.com

SPRINGDALE FARM STAND Wednesdays & Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Springdale Farm, 755 Springdale, 512/386-8899. springdalefarmaustin.com